Pregnancy & Coronavirus

[Niffler1988]

Hi ladies,

Anyone else concerned about getting the coronavirus whilst pregnant?! I'm 11 weeks and so paranoid about getting it. There is barely any advice for pregnant mothers and I work in a college so I'm exposed to germs all the time! I just feel like the NHS aren't giving us any proper advice for expecting mothers and it has me so worried. Our immune systems are lowered and I'm so terrified of catching it, however as there's no advice, I can't just stop coming to work.

Please tell me I'm not the only one worrying about this? I've taken to carrying around my hand sanitiser everywhere I go...obviously using soap and water where possible.

The fact that the nhs aren’t giving specific advice for expectant mothers means there’s nothing specific to worry about for expectant mothers.

Just follow the general advice to keep hand washing etc. You could talk to your midwife for reassurance.

They just don’t know what the effects are on pregnant women which is why there isn’t much advice. But as long as you don’t have any other health problems, you’ll more than likely be fine if you do catch it so try not to worry. It is worrying but I just think that if we do catch it while pregnant we will pass our antibodies on to our baby through the placenta and breast milk which will protect them when they’re born. There is also evidence to suggest that the coronavirus doesn’t pass to the foetus so it’ll be safe in the uterus as well.

@PurpleDaisies I totally get that, however things that I have read said they don't know enough about it to be sure. If it is as similar to SARS as they say, then that was quite dangerous for pregnant women. I am being vigilant with hand washing and sanitising etc, I think working in a college just has me more paranoid from the sheer number of teenagers who probably aren't washing their hands as much as they should.

@melbs6 Luckily I don't, I think I'm just worried about getting a fever in early pregnancy as that can cause miscarriage. Fingers crossed I won't get it, I just feel so paranoid. Anyone with a sniffle near me and I run a mile, which looks weird because no-one at work (apart from a close friend) know that I'm pregnant.

There’s no evidence that this is more dangerous for pregnant women. This isn’t SARS.

@purpledaisies I know it's not SARS, but it's the closest type of virus that they have done studies on which effects people in a similar way.

Yes I'm quite worried about this too, am currently 16 weeks and I've been signed off work with tonsillitis and an ear & eye infection. We're definitely more susceptible to picking up viruses when pregnant, my dr confirmed this! Luckily my work are taking precautions and they might be closing the office for 3 months if the corona virus hits peak infection. Like everyone's saying though, no one knows the risks for expectant mothers however it doesn't seem to be harmful to babies & young children as they're immune systems are better! Just need to be vigilant with hand washing and touching your face of you're coming into contact with general public, I think our brains are programmed to worry about everything when pregnant, it's only natural and what feels like scaremongering from the media certainly doesn't help. I do feel your pain!

I’m scared too. Only 4+4 so a long way to go until in the safer zone. Saw my GP this morning and she thinks if they can’t contain it, it will ramp up by October. I must’ve read the same article as you re similarity to SARS and am petrified.

I’m 41 and terrified this is my last chance and of something happening. We are due to go away at weekend (UK only) but really don’t want to go because of it. DH thinks am being silly.

@Bonnie246 Phew, I'm glad I'm not the only one that has been worrying. Oh no, I hope you feel better, that must be awful :( I've had food poisoning, a cold and a chest infection during these 11 weeks, it's been awful! I have a pretty crap immune system at the best of times, never mind when pregnant. I think you're right, we are programmed to worry more than usual!

@burntpinky Oh bless you! We had info issued by the government to deliver in tutorials to the students and it said it's similar to SARS and MERS, more so than influenza. I think you're right about not being in the safe zone yet, which is even scarier for us! I'm going to London in a few weeks and just ensuring I'm extra vigilant, hand sanitising after using public transport and washing my hands even more than usual.

Hello!
I am in a very similar position. I work in education and am very susceptible to bugs and I have just found out I’m pregnant. I’m very nervous and scared too. I lost a pregnancy (ectopic) recently and so I have quite high levels of anxiety anyway. I asked the GP for help but she just said they didn’t know the effect of the virus as it was new! I guess there wasn’t much else she could say!!

If it helps, To mitigate my anxiety I am trying to:
~ follow hygiene guidelines carefully
~ avoid negative news stories in the press (not always successfully - hey, I’m on mumsnet right now! 😂) but being mindful and minimising the amount of time I spend as best I can
~ use my time to do positive things for my health like preparing healthy meals and exercise.

These are just distraction techniques really, but I think it’s all we can do. It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one worrying.
Wishing you love and a happy, healthy pregnancy. Xxx

I work as a respiratory nurse and have been in a situation today with a suspected case that was not confirmed. But off the back of this I sought advice from my midwife as am
24+3 and contacted Public Health England for specific pregnancy related advise as I work in a higher risk job.

There is no advice that differs for pregnant women currently, and no evidence of any greater risk currently.

Obviously things may change but as it stands they have reassured me not to worry and to continue as we would with any patient showing signs of CV with any of the criteria. In this situation I would avoid them and signpost them elsewhere.

I would have worried during my pregnancy too, so I totally understand and you are right many teens don’t wash their hands enough, I think though if you keep doing as you are doing and maintaining your own hand hygiene it will really reduce your chances of picking it up in that manner. I hope you have a lovely pregnancy and that this situation improves soon so you can worry less and enjoy it more! Its rotten timing for pregnant ladies!

It's worrying isn't it! All the info we have so far seems to suggest that pregnant women aren't more at risk - the pregnant women who contracted it in China are fine, as are their babies. So... I'm clinging onto that hope!

My main concern is how to keep my newborn safe when she's born (I'm 33 weeks). I know babies and children don't seem as vulnerable to it but the idea of a tiny newborn being exposed to it is so scary. And if it spreads to the level that we expect it to, its possible she'd come into contact with someone who has it but hasn't started showing symptoms yet at some point, at the hospital or otherwise.

I am very worried. I'm a nurse in A&E and we are regularly swabbing people for corona virus. None positive yet

@Niffler1988 I feel your pain, iv had 8 MC in total. I'm 39 years old and a college student, I'm 15 weeks pregnant. You cant help but worry, your in and out different classes using different computers all day, everyday. It doesnt help that all the shops are sold out of hand sanitizer. Weve just had our first confirmed case in my area this morning.

I know completely what you mean. I am wfh this week, but can’t do that forever (or rather until my mat leave starts in 12 weeks...wondering whether best to go in now while it’s less widely spread)
Have my first pregnancy yoga class tomorrow and feel stressed about going to that! And that’s supposed to be relaxing! Hoping if I go other ladies there will understand and be good to talk to (and be equally watching their hygiene...)

I think we just have to think, it’s still only 85 people out of 60 odd million in the uk, so still hopefully “low” risk to the majority of us and we just have to be extra vigilant about hand washing,being pregnant

Just saw this thread! I asked a few minutes ago if it would be ott to take some time off work if it was possible? But I'm an anxious first time pregnancy anyway so maybe over-reacting ...

You and me both! I am 33 weeks too and I feel really anxious about this. No one else really seems to get it so I'm glad at least to share the worry!

Me too! I'm 19 weeks so still a long way to go too. I was worried until a few days ago, but now the numbers are going up quickly

We are now not travelling this weekend, but not because of CV, because family member who was going to look after DC for us is unwell (not with CV!) but I am relieved. I will go to shops again Friday for supplies and have just ordered 240 pairs of gloves which will arrive Saturday! Also ordered more nappies.

My work are taking it seriously but if push comes to shove I’ll work from home. When you compare the stats to seasonal flu it doesn’t seem as bad but think it’s because they don’t yet know what affect (if any) it might have on unborns.

nationalperinatal.org/COVID-19/
Saw this in work today, may be helpful.

I'm 37 and 20 weeks pregnant and at university. I've chosen not to attend university and to do my work from home. I'm thankful I can do that because it's been a bit of a worry.

I’m 33 weeks and I am quite concerned. I’ve been immobile with PGP for months and months and am generally feeling fed up and emotional. What gets me quite (hormonally) peed off is when young, non pregnant people without children dismiss my worries like I’m some fool. I would also not be worried if it was just me and husband to think about. But I have a 2 year old to think about, an unborn child, a need for a functioning hospital with enough staff in the next 1-2 months and a need for a fully functioning and available husband as I am far from this myself right now, I’m practically sofa bound. I cannot deal with life with a toddler on my own if he has to go into self isolation because of exposure, or worse of course, he actually is ill. I’m struggling with the real basics to look after her due to pain. We both commute to London every day.
I wish I was about to give birth now as I feel the hospitals can cope (just!) at the moment. What state will it be in a few months if one fifth of the midwives are off sick and the place is full to the brim of infectious people.
Hopefully I am also just worrying too much, as usual.

I'm 5 weeks today, I also work in a primary school so I'm at risk of infection!
My other big issue is we have a big holiday this year, a cruise flying to Texas and cruising around Mexico, Honduras and Belize. Although none of these places are badly effected yet I'm really anxious about going but we already have 3 children and this holiday has taken us over a year to save for, and we won't get our money back if we cancel!! What do you all think?? Xxx

Should have said holiday is in a few weeks we fly out on the 10th April for 10 days xxx